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Schatz gains design approval after stormy third hearing LEE PERLMAN THE MID-COUNTY MEMO Developer Bob Schatz last month gained design approval for his 123 S.E. 97th Ave. project just barely on the third try. Schatz has been seeking design approval for a four-story structure occupied by small, basic offices. He ran afoul of Gateways Urban Renewal Area design review process over several issues, including a large, black, metallic O he wanted to put on one side of the structure in order to attract attention from the I-205 freeway. Planner Chris Beanes didnt tell Schatz he couldnt have his O, but he did say that it exacerbated another problem: The main entrance did not have sufficient prominence. When Beanes denied approval for the design, Schatz appealed to the Portland Design Commission, only to have them side with the planner. After extensive work and some private discussion with two commission members, Schatz came back with a new design. Commission members said they liked this much better, but still sent Schatz back for more work because they didnt like the color. Schatzs presentation at last months commission meeting wasnt so much a design presentation as a catalog of grievances. He has been trying to get through the design review process since September 2007. Early on in the process, he said, Senior Planner Jeff Joslin told him his design could be approved with minor changes. Promises werent kept. Theres no consistency within this department from one representative to the next. It seems like youre yanking my chain for some unknown reason. Schatz complained he was forbidden to use vinyl windows even though they were used in other recent nearby projects. He was told not to pursue some design elements that Commission member Tim Eddy had used on his own projects. Im not sure the planning department is legal, Schatz said. Im not sure how regulating paint color and siding helps the public safety and welfare. At one point he quoted the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing free speech and expression, verbatim. Newly elected Commission Chair Jeff Stuhr prodded Schatz to address the issues of his project. Schatz said he had made numerous changes in the design at the citys behest. I was forced to be symmetrical on all sides. Its not logical, but I was willing to do it to get through the process. He brought a sample of a heavier gauge of metal siding that he said he would use at the base, in response to Commission member Andrew Janskys concern that a lighter metal would be too easily damaged. Somewhat defiantly, Schatz said he would use two different types of siding. Eddy, who had been Schatzs chief critic at the last session, said he didnt object to the use of two types of siding, but to two different colors. A monochromatic scheme would allow the forms to be expressed by light and shadow, Eddy said. I appreciate the process youve gone through, Bob. Its been long and arduous. I hope its not like this all the time. This is a pioneering project, and youre taking a great deal of risk in building it here. Its a very visible project. He maintained his stance on the color issue but added, Beyond that, Im generally happy with the changes. Commission member Ben Kaiser, a developer, was also conciliatory. This is a frustrating process, he said. Most of us have been on the other side of the table. But we have been applauded around the world for the results of the process. It results in a great city. We might have saved you quite a bit of money and made this more marketable. Overall its improved quite a bit. He did not agree with Eddy that a color change was necessary. Commission member David Wark was less sympathetic. This was about the most difficult process I have seen, he said, and its partly due to one partys failure to appreciate a process that makes Portland the great place it is. Other cities dont demand as much as we do, and it shows. To say you like living in Portland but dont like living up to its standards is contradictory to me. Gateway deserves this level of quality. Ive never seen staff trying to be difficult or yanking someones chain. He also questioned Schatzs plans for an open courtyard in the center of the structure. Jansky said he was satisfied about the siding issue, but he remained critical. Looking at the case file, he said, Your packet is pretty thin compared to some others. This is a great concept, but poor execution can make a project go south pretty fast. He criticized the black and white renderings Schatz presented, saying they didnt show much about the building. I understand youve been through a lot, but there havent been a lot of changes since the last time you were here. Commission member Gwen Millius said, Weve tried to raise the bar in Gateway. We agreed to (allow) higher density in exchange for having us look at projects. I sort of side with Commissioner Eddy that one color would bring you a better building. Looking somewhat frustrated, Schatz said, The earliest concerns were about the relationship to the street. I think the new design meets those concerns. We got the best we could get. I think the guidelines are met. When Jansky and Wark asked for additional detail changes, Schatz told the latter, What we have, David, is the design as proposed. You will have to make your judgment on that. On the vote, Eddy abstained while the rest of the commission approved the project. Schatz later told the Memo that with additional work needed on the project and time needed to get it through the citys permitting process, he was probably about a year away from breaking ground.
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